Minimum specifications

Windows

Mac

Firefox, Safari 5.0 or later versions Other browsers may work with Busy Things, but are unsupported.

iPad tablet

iPad 3 or higher and iPad Mini 2 or higher with iOS 9 or above.

Android tablet

Android 4.1 or higher Please ensure you have the latest version of Chrome.

General troubleshooting

If you come across any problems with busythings.co.uk, please ensure that you are using the latest versions of your browser. Desktop/laptop users should also make sure they have the latest Adobe Flash Player plugin. If this doesn't help, please try these steps first:

First, close all instances of your browser and then restart and try busythings.co.uk again.

If this doesn't help, clear any files your browser has saved on your machine. This will ensure that you are using the latest version of busythings.co.uk. Follow the instructions for the browser you are using:

Internet Explorer 8.0+

On the Internet Explorer Tools menu, click Internet Options. The Internet Options box should open to the General tab.On the General tab, in the Browsing history section, click the Delete button.The Delete Browsing History box should open. Ensure that Temporary Internet Files is checked and click Delete. This will delete all the files that are currently stored in your cache.Click OK.

Google Chrome

Firefox

On the Firefox Tools menu, click Options.Click the Privacy panel then select the Cache tab.Click Clear Cache Now. This will delete all the files that are currently stored in your cache.Click OK.

Safari

From the Safari menu, click Empty Cache.Click Empty. This will delete all the files that are currently stored in your cache.

If you are still having problems with busythings.co.uk, please contact us either by email (duncan@busythings.co.uk) or by telephone (+44 (0)1332 364963). Please have your busythings.co.uk username to hand, as it may be required.

Creating a shortcut to Busy Things

Google Chrome (desktop)Navigate to www.busythings.co.uk. Click the three dots in the top right corner. Select More tools and then Add to desktop. Then click Add.

Internet Explorer or Edge

Right click the desktop. Select New and then Shortcut. Type www.busythings.co.uk into the location and then click Next. Type Busy Things as the name for the shortcut and then click Finish.

FirefoxNavigate to www.busythings.co.uk. Click on the Busy Things icon to the left of the address bar next to the Busy Things URL and then drag it onto the desktop and release the mouse button. If you can't see the desktop click the Maximise/Restore button (with an icon of two squares) in the top right to change the window size.

Safari

Navigate to www.busythings.co.uk. Select the entire address in the address bar at the top of the browser. Click and drag the address onto the desktop and release the mouse button.

iPadsOpen the Safari browser and then login to Busy Things. Click the Share button located in the top right corner with an icon of an upwards facing arrow in a square. Select Add to Home Screen and then click Add. An icon will then appear on the home screen.

AndroidOpen the Chrome browser and then login to Busy Things. Click on the three dots in the top right corner. Select Add to Home screen and then click Add. An icon will then appear on the home screen.

Tablet specific issues

iPads

Please ensure your iPad is running the latest version of iOS.

If you encounter any problems, please try powering your iPad down and then restarting it. You can also try going into the Settings App, selecting Safari on the left and then selecting Clear History and Website Data.

iPad 2 and first generation iPad Mini users should download the Puffin Web Browser from the AppStore.

Android

Please ensure your iPad is running the latest version of the Chrome Browser.

If you encounter any problems, please try powering your tablet down and then restarting it.

Also, in Chrome, click the button in the top right corner, select History and then select Clear Browsing Data. Make sure Cache is selected and press Clear.

If you have any further problems then please contact us by email (duncan@busythings.co.uk) or telephone (+44 (0)1332 364963).

Forgotten your username and password?

If you have forgotten your username and password, click the 'Play now' button in the top right of this screen, then click the 'Forgotten username' or 'Forgotten password' link. Enter the email address you used to register your Busy Things account and click 'Send me a reminder'.

Chrome on Android sometimes loses audio if the tablet is not touched for an extended period of time - leaving the activity and returning should resolve the issue in the interim.

Logging in without typing your username and password

If you want to allow your children to access busythings.co.uk without typing your username and password, login to your Teacher account, click Manage Setups (in the Teacher Bar) and then click Create Shortcut. Select which type of login you wish to use and click Make Shortcut. This will generate a link that you can add to your bookmarks or favourites, or place as a shortcut on your desktop.

Please ensure that these links are not made public. They should only be used locally (as a shortcut in your browser on or your desktop) or placed in a secured area of your website/learning platform.

Single sign on

SSO is possible for users wishing to integrate busythings.co.uk into their learning platform. Please contact us with the name of your learning platform and we will arrange this for you.

Request a telephone or skype tutorial!

We are happy to walk you through Busy Things at a time to suit you. We can offer and overview or guidance on a specific area. If you have a skype ID we can share our screen with you, otherwise you will need to be in front of the computer when we call. Typically a tutorial will cover:

Teacher mode vs pupil mode

The curriculum browser

Creating and managing setups

Customising activities

Different resource types

Using the phonics resource maker

Request a tutorial

TelephoneSkype

Your name:

Your email:

Telephone number:

Please suggest a suitable date and time below and we will do our best to accommodate your request. We will email you to confirm the details.